LWC, Microsoft to Partner on Free Technology Training

BATON ROUGE – The Louisiana Workforce Commission has joined forced with Microsoft in an innovative public-private partnership to provide to Louisiana job seekers and workers free technology training.

Through its Elevate America program, Microsoft is providing LWC with 22,500 vouchers for free, online technology training and certification that will be used to enhance the job skills and marketability of job seekers who are registered with LWC as well as participants in the Jobs for America’s Graduates (JAG) program of the Louisiana Department of Education. LWC is also working with its Incumbent Worker Training Program (IWTP) to provide free vouchers to businesses that requested technology training for employees through the Small Business Employment Training (SBET) program and will also work with the Louisiana Community and Technical College System (LCTCS) to provide free vouchers to selected LCTCS students.

“Microsoft’s Elevate America program is providing valuable technology training resources that will help us improve the job skills of our future work force and enhance the skills of small business employees,” said Curt Eysink, executive director of the Louisiana Workforce Commission. “I applaud Microsoft for taking a leadership position from a corporate perspective on workforce development. This initiative will allow the Workforce Commission and our state’s community and technical colleges help prepare even more Louisiana citizens for good jobs.”

Louisiana’s statewide allotment includes a limited number of vouchers for online training in Microsoft Office 2003 or 2007 programs, online testing, and more advanced level technical training, such as web development or database management.

“Microsoft is pleased to partner with the Louisiana Workforce Commission to help make life-changing differences for individuals and families across the nation,” said Jack Westerlund, Microsoft sales director for state and local government. “Elevate America’s goal is to assist people across the state of Louisiana in gaining technology skills training they can use moving forward in today’s economy.”

More information on the program is available on the LWC website,www.laworks.net/elevateamerica.asp. Job seekers who are already registered with LWC through its online job services system and are actively looking for work can also contact their nearest Business & Career Solutions Center for details on how to qualify for a training voucher.

Microsoft’s Elevate America program is expected to provide up to one million vouchers nationwide for Microsoft e-Learning courses and select Microsoft certification exams at no or low cost to recipients. The program, part of Microsoft’s overall Unlimited Potential efforts to improve social and economic opportunities for people, will provide technology training for up to two million people during the next three years.

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